MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Northwest Metro Election Roundup: Winston Wins in Brooklyn Park, Carlson Prevails in Coon Rapids as Voters Shape Local Leadership

Brooklyn Park returns Mayor Hollies Winston to office and elects three council members, while Coon Rapids chooses Pat Carlson as its next mayor. Legislative incumbents John Hoffman and Susan Pha also win reelection as attention turns to Anoka County's closely watched local contests.

NORTHWEST METRO, MN (November 4, 2026).

Voters across Minnesota's northwest metropolitan communities delivered important decisions in Tuesday's general election, returning Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston to office, selecting Pat Carlson as the next mayor of Coon Rapids and reelected state senators John Hoffman and Susan Pha to represent portions of the region at the Minnesota Capitol.

The November 3 election also determined the composition of the Brooklyn Park City Council, with incumbents Christian Eriksen and Nichole Klonowski retaining their seats and Bernice David-Cooper winning an open seat in the city's West District.

In Anoka County, voters faced several consequential contests for the County Board, including a District 4 race between outgoing Coon Rapids Mayor Jerry Koch and former City Council Member Jennifer “Jenny” Geisler. Coon Rapids residents also voted in two City Council races.

Together, the elections will influence decisions involving public safety, property taxes, housing, economic development, transportation, infrastructure and the delivery of county services.

The results come as communities across the northwest Twin Cities confront changing demographics, growing demands for municipal services and questions about how local governments should balance development with affordability.

While several outcomes were clear by Wednesday morning, complete verified returns were not yet available for every Anoka County and Coon Rapids contest reviewed for this report.

BROOKLYN PARK | Hollies Winston Wins Another Term as Mayor

Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston won reelection Tuesday, defeating City Council Member Shelle Page and securing another term leading one of Minnesota's largest and most diverse communities.

According to election-night results reported by CCX Media, Winston received 16,353 votes, representing 55.3% of the vote.

Page received 13,014 votes, or 44.0%.

The reported results gave Winston a margin of 3,339 votes over his challenger.

Winston first won the mayor's office in 2022, becoming Brooklyn Park's first Black mayor.

His reelection follows a competitive campaign that began with four candidates seeking the position.

The August primary narrowed the field to Winston and Page, both of whom entered the general election with experience in city government.

The result gives Winston an opportunity to continue pursuing his administration's priorities while addressing concerns raised by residents during the campaign.

Those concerns include public safety, property taxes, housing affordability, business development and the pace of major infrastructure projects.

Among the significant initiatives facing Brooklyn Park are the proposed BioTech Innovation District and the METRO Blue Line Extension.

Both projects have the potential to influence the city's economic development and transportation patterns, although their long-term effects will depend on financing, implementation and future policy decisions.

Winston's victory establishes electoral continuity at City Hall, but the next term will require the mayor and council to translate development ambitions into measurable benefits for residents.

BROOKLYN PARK | Eriksen and Klonowski Reelected; David-Cooper Wins Open Council Seat

Brooklyn Park voters also decided three City Council contests, retaining two incumbents and electing a new representative in the West District.

In the East District, incumbent Christian Eriksen defeated Allen Miskowiec.

Eriksen received 6,604 votes, representing 66.1%, compared with 3,309 votes, or 33.1%, for Miskowiec.

The result gave Eriksen a decisive victory and another term representing residents of the district.

In the Central District, incumbent Nichole Klonowski defeated Ashyante Gill.

Klonowski received 5,765 votes, or 59.1%, while Gill received 3,921 votes, or 40.2%.

The West District produced the closest of the three council contests.

Bernice David-Cooper received 3,583 votes, representing 51.2%, defeating former Council Member Tonja West-Hafner, who received 3,354 votes, or 47.9%.

The difference was 229 votes.

The seat was open because Council Member Maria Tran chose to pursue the mayor's office rather than seek reelection to her council position. Tran was eliminated during the August mayoral primary.

David-Cooper's victory introduces a new member to the City Council while the reelection of Eriksen and Klonowski preserves experienced representation in two districts.

The resulting council will be responsible for reviewing city budgets, land-use decisions, infrastructure investments, public safety priorities and other municipal policies.

Brooklyn Park's growth and diversity make those responsibilities especially consequential.

Decisions about development, housing and transportation can have different effects on established homeowners, renters, immigrant families, small businesses and younger residents seeking economic opportunities.

The next council will face the challenge of balancing those interests while maintaining transparent and accountable city government.

COON RAPIDS | Pat Carlson Wins Mayoral Election

Coon Rapids voters selected City Council Member Pat Carlson as their next mayor, defeating Thuba Nguyen in Tuesday's general election.

According to election reporting cited Wednesday, Carlson received approximately 66.5% of the vote, compared with about 33% for Nguyen.

The result follows Carlson's strong showing in the August primary, when Carlson led a three-candidate field with 5,853 votes, representing 60.14%.

Nguyen advanced to the general election after receiving 2,355 votes, or 24.20%, in the primary.

The mayoral election was an open contest because incumbent Mayor Jerry Koch chose to seek a seat on the Anoka County Board rather than run for another term at City Hall.

Carlson, a retired Coon Rapids police officer and current City Council member, campaigned on public safety, fiscal responsibility, economic development and community engagement.

Nguyen offered voters an alternative vision for the city's leadership.

Carlson's reported victory will bring a new mayor to City Hall at a time when Coon Rapids faces ongoing decisions about residential development, infrastructure maintenance, public services and long-term financial planning.

The city's next mayor will work with the City Council to establish priorities and oversee municipal operations.

Although the mayoral office is important, the mayor does not govern independently of the council.

Municipal decisions involving spending, land use and local policy generally require action through the city's established governing process.

For residents, the practical significance of the election will emerge through budget decisions, development proposals, public safety policies and the administration's engagement with neighborhoods.

COON RAPIDS | Ward 3 and Ward 5 Council Contests

Beyond the mayoral race, Coon Rapids voters also selected representatives in two City Council districts.

Ward 3 featured incumbent Sean Novack and challenger Jean Wayne.

Ward 5 featured incumbent Brian Armstrong and challenger Thomas Huling.

Neither race required an August primary because only two candidates filed for each seat.

Both contests were included on Tuesday's general election ballot.

The outcomes will help determine the composition of the council that works with the incoming mayor.

The two seats are important because council members participate directly in decisions involving neighborhood infrastructure, local ordinances, city spending and land-use matters.

However, the accessible election returns reviewed for this report did not establish independently verified November 3 vote totals or winners for either contest.

Those results should be confirmed through the official municipal or state election records before individual candidates are declared elected.

ANOKA COUNTY | Four County Board Districts on the Ballot

Anoka County voters also considered four County Board contests.

The races included John Heinrich against Wayne J. Grimmer in District 1; Regan Birr against Brian Kirkham in District 2; Jeff Reinert against Melissa “Mel” Lawlis in District 3; and Jennifer “Jenny” Geisler against Jerry Koch in District 4.

The District 4 contest attracted particular attention in Coon Rapids because both candidates have substantial experience in municipal government.

Koch is the outgoing Coon Rapids mayor, while Geisler previously served on the City Council.

Both advanced from the August primary after defeating a third candidate, Michael Nordstrom.

Koch received 3,413 votes in the primary, representing 44.33%.

Geisler received 3,135 votes, or 40.72%.

Their primary results were separated by 278 votes.

The November election presented voters with a choice between two candidates familiar with Coon Rapids government but seeking a different level of public responsibility.

County commissioners oversee a broad range of services, including transportation infrastructure, human services, public health, county facilities and budget decisions.

For Coon Rapids residents, county decisions can influence road improvements, social service programs, property tax obligations and the availability of public resources.

The official Anoka County election-results page accessible during preparation of this report did not yet display usable November 3 returns for these County Board contests.

Accordingly, this roundup does not identify winners or victory margins that have not been independently established.

ANOKA COUNTY | Sheriff and County Attorney Offices Also on Ballot

The November 3 ballot also included the offices of Anoka County sheriff and county attorney.

Brad Wise appeared as the candidate for sheriff, while Brad Johnson appeared as the candidate for county attorney.

Both were listed without named opponents, although voters retained the option of casting write-in votes.

The offices carry significant responsibilities.

The sheriff oversees law enforcement functions assigned to the county, including responsibilities involving public safety, detention operations and other statutory duties.

The county attorney is responsible for criminal prosecutions and legal representation of county government within the scope of Minnesota law.

The offices also have important roles in maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.

The absence of a named challenger does not eliminate the need for accurate election reporting.

Final vote totals and formal election outcomes remain subject to the applicable canvassing process.

NORTHWEST METRO | Senator John Hoffman Wins Reelection in District 34

State Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat from Champlin, won reelection in Senate District 34, defeating Republican Karen Attia.

According to results reported by CCX Media, Hoffman received approximately 62% of the vote, compared with 38% for Attia.

The district includes portions of Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Champlin, Dayton and Rogers.

Hoffman's victory carries particular significance following the politically motivated attack at his home in 2025, which drew statewide attention to threats against public officials.

His reelection returns him to the Legislature to continue representing a district that includes communities in both Hennepin and Anoka counties.

The result also means that residents in those communities will retain an experienced legislator during a period of significant change in Minnesota's statewide leadership.

Among the issues likely to remain important to District 34 are education funding, healthcare, transportation, public safety and support for local governments.

Hoffman's continued service will place him in a position to participate in legislative debates affecting those priorities.

BROOKLYN PARK AND OSSEO | Senator Susan Pha Reelected in District 38

State Sen. Susan Pha also won reelection Tuesday, defeating Republican Brad Olson in Senate District 38.

CCX Media reported that Pha received approximately 76% of the vote, compared with 24% for Olson.

District 38 includes Brooklyn Center, Osseo and southern Brooklyn Park.

The result gives Pha another term representing a district with substantial racial, cultural and economic diversity.

Her reelection also preserves legislative continuity for communities facing ongoing questions about housing affordability, education, economic opportunity and access to public services.

As Minnesota prepares for a new gubernatorial administration, returning legislators will play important roles in reviewing proposals and determining which policies advance through the Legislature.

For residents of Brooklyn Park and neighboring communities, legislative representation matters because state decisions frequently influence the resources available to cities, counties and school districts.

WHAT THE RESULTS MEAN FOR NORTHWEST METRO RESIDENTS

The November 3 election produced both continuity and change across the northwest Twin Cities.

Brooklyn Park voters retained Winston as mayor and returned two incumbent council members while choosing a new representative in the West District.

Coon Rapids voters selected Carlson to succeed Koch, beginning a transition in municipal leadership.

Hoffman and Pha secured additional terms in the Minnesota Senate, maintaining experienced representation for several northwest metropolitan communities.

The Anoka County Board and remaining municipal contests will further determine how local governments approach the coming years.

The elections also highlight the different responsibilities assigned to city, county and state officials.

Mayors and city councils make decisions about municipal budgets, land use, local infrastructure and city services.

County commissioners oversee broader regional responsibilities, including public health, human services, transportation and county finances.

State legislators establish laws and participate in decisions about state funding and policy.

These levels of government often work together, but their powers are not interchangeable.

For residents seeking accountability, understanding those distinctions is essential.

A concern involving neighborhood development may begin at City Hall, while questions about county services or statewide funding may require engagement with different elected representatives.

THE TAKEAWAY | VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN; THE WORK OF GOVERNING BEGINS

The northwest metropolitan election results provide an important picture of how residents want their communities to be governed.

In Brooklyn Park, voters returned a mayor who has emphasized economic development and public safety while selecting a council that combines incumbents with a new member.

In Coon Rapids, voters chose a new mayor following Jerry Koch's decision to pursue county office.

In the Legislature, Hoffman and Pha won renewed mandates from their districts.

The immediate political contests are ending, but the responsibilities of public office are continuing.

Local governments will face difficult decisions involving taxes, infrastructure, housing, public safety, development and the delivery of essential services.

The incoming and returning officials will be judged by how effectively they address those issues, communicate with residents and manage public resources.

For MinneapoliMedia's northwest metropolitan communities, the election is more than a collection of winners and vote percentages.

It establishes the leadership responsible for decisions that will shape neighborhoods, households and local institutions over the coming years.

The next phase is accountability: following the promises made during the campaigns, examining the decisions taken in office and documenting whether those decisions serve the people who placed their trust in government.

Editor’s Note: Election results reported as of November 4, 2026, are unofficial and remain subject to canvassing and certification by the appropriate election authorities.

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